Skilled 4 Work: Welder encourages other women to pick up the torch

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — As the welding industry grows, women make up a small percentage of welders – but one New Mexican hopes to change that as she starts her career.

“I knew I wanted to work with my hands in whatever I ended up doing so I knew that I needed to figure out my next step in my education and in my career,” said Alyssa Copeland, a welding student at CNM. “What I like about welding is there are a lot of opportunities and it’s a very respectful job.”

Copeland and other women make up around 4% of the welding workforce, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. At CNM, the number is higher as around 12% of welding students are women.

Alyssa is torching the stereotypes around the profession as, earlier this year, she became a state championship-winning welder with a very special sculpture. Now, she’s working on her next sculpture for another competition.

“There have been a few moments where there have been people that didn’t think I belonged, but here I am competing and they didn’t even make it through advanced classes,” she said.

As the welding industry grows, women make up a small percentage of welders. One New Mexican hopes to change that as she starts her career.

Alyssa will graduate with her associate degree in welding next spring. She plans on becoming a professional TIG welder and may even continue making sculpture art on the side.